Cops: Roofer Kills Co-Worker With Circular Saw

Miguel Navarro, 24, is accused in a gruesome murder of a co-worker. (Handout)Miguel Navarro, 24, is accused in a gruesome murder of a co-worker. (Handout)

(Newser)
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A roofer has been accused of gruesomely murdering his co-worker using a tool of the trade. The Pierce County Heraldreports that 24-year-old Miguel Angel Franco Navarro faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and mayhem in the death of 37-year-old Israel Valles-Flores. Authorities in Wisconsin say that his weapon of choice was a circular saw and that the slaying unfolded while the two were part of a crew working atop a home outside the city of River Falls on Aug. 6.

Per the criminal complaint cited by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, police say the victim handed Navarro the saw moments before Navarro sliced Valles-Flores' throat. Valles-Flores then fell onto an adjoining room, where he was discovered dead. A circular saw was found at the scene. In a recorded phone call from jail following his arrest, Navarro allegedly said he was being teased by his co-workers prior to the attack and that it made him feel "really mad inside." However, a relative of Valles-Flores told reporters the two men had known each other for years and would frequently poke fun at one another. Navarro is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond and has a hearing set for Monday.